Recently I had a couple of new cache placements denied because no new caches are being permitted in Wildlife Management Areas, SNAs and AMAs. Can anything be done to get the person or people in charge to change this at the DNR? Hiking is encouraged in these areas, hunting in some, even eating edible plants! These are some of the only large areas still available around here to place new caches in, and having them welcoming to hikers but not cachers makes no sense to me.

This "problem" with the WMA does not have to do with who may access the areas but more with what may (in this case may NOT) be left unattended in these areas.
According to my DNR sources the State Legislature mandated rules that state no private property may be left in these areas for any reason. This is to prevent deer stands, duck blinds, boats and decoys to be placed on these public grounds and waterways.
It would appear the best approach would be for the mngca to approach some local State Legislators to write an ammendment to the original legislation exempting a specific description of geocaching containers.
The risk here is all the other groups of users and potential users, are going to line up asking for exemptions on their activity. With that in mind convincing a Legislator to champion this cause may be difficult.
These spaces would be wonderful to be able to use but don't hold your breath.

The Wildlife Division of the DNR has the ability to change the rules to allow containers to be placed. It's not an easy or short process, but they have the ability to make it happen (without legislation). They do have many more concerns than just the property being left on WMA lands though. I agree with the thought that the prognosis for widespread adoption of geocaching on WMA lands isn't very good. There's a better chance that it might be allowed on some outlying WMA properties that are in areas that don't have other more traditional geocache placing opportunities (i.e., and area without abundant public parks or forests). I don't know how likely even that scenario is though._________________-Paklid

It would appear the best approach would be for the mngca to approach some local State Legislators.

I agree with this statement and I think it is something the MnGCA should look into while following any other leads it may have also. We have to emphasize that geocaching is a valuable sport/hobby. I would suggest that the managers of the land could submit the caches with the help (if needed) of the MnGCA. This would eliminate the need to change the rules since I am sure it is legal for the land managers to leave property in WMA's etc. I see signs and other things in areas like this.

Interesting point of view, Merkman. Perhaps the caches we want to place on WMA lands could be donated to MN DNR then they would own them and be responsible for the cache placement and not be hindered by the current rules we must follow. BUT, I highly doubt that would fly either as the area land managers and their staff are overburdened with the day to day operations of these areas now.
I think trying to get the local folks to go against the status quo with regards to current rules might be like trying to push a rope-not very likely to return favorable results.
Find some legislators and talk to them. This might help.
DB
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According to my DNR sources the State Legislature mandated rules that state no private property may be left in these areas for any reason. This is to prevent deer stands, duck blinds, boats and decoys to be placed on these public grounds and waterways.

The exception to this rule is traps, some of them can be left in the WMAs for months at a time. See pages 42-43 of the 2007 Hunting & Trapping regulations book._________________"We never seek things for themselves-what we seek is the very seeking of things"-Pascal